Pneumatic Grease Applicator Solid Axle Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional grease applicators face issues such as limited grease supply requiring frequent replenishment, mechanical weakness of the axle, significant grease leakage, and operator fatigue due to manual operation, leading to contamination and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

A pneumatically operated grease applicator with a sealed receptacle and solid axle, allowing continuous grease supply and application without opening the device, featuring sealing members to prevent leakage and a solid axle for enhanced mechanical strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a hollow axle is used for grease replenishment, then grease can be refilled into the receptacle, but the axle becomes mechanically weak and easily broken

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrease replenishment capabilityVSAvoidaxle mechanical strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The grease replenishment function is separated from the axle structure. A solid axle provides mechanical strength while a separate feeding channel in the receptacle bottom allows grease to be supplied pneumatically, dividing the replenishment function from the load-bearing component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A pneumatic feeding system acts as an intermediary to deliver grease through a separate channel, eliminating the need for the axle to be hollow for grease passage. The feeding channel serves as the intermediary pathway for grease supply.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If manual pressing operation is used, then the device structure is simple, but the operator experiences fatigue and operation efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structure simplicityVSAvoidoperation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical pressing operation is replaced with a pneumatic system. A pneumatic motor drives a plunger to automatically press grease through the feeding channel, substituting human mechanical effort with automated pneumatic actuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The device performs grease application automatically through pneumatic actuation. The system serves itself by using compressed air to drive the grease delivery mechanism without requiring continuous manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If clearance is present between presser and receptacle wall, then the device assembly is easy, but grease leaks severely out of the receptacle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice assembly easeVSAvoidgrease leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible sealing ring is introduced between the presser and receptacle wall. The sealing ring compensates for clearance and gaps, preventing grease leakage while allowing for manufacturing tolerances and assembly variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Quantity of substance

If frequent grease replenishment is required, then the initial grease amount is limited, but operation must be interrupted and contamination occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitial grease amountVSAvoidoperation interruption time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The pneumatic feeding channel enables continuous grease supply during operation. Grease can be replenished through the bottom feeding channel without disassembling the device or interrupting the grease application process, maintaining continuous operational action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The feeding channel is pre-configured in the receptacle bottom to allow grease to be supplied in advance and continuously during operation, eliminating the need for frequent stopping and manual replenishment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables continuous, uniform, and efficient grease application to multiple bearings with reduced contamination and mechanical failure, improving operational efficiency and reducing grease waste.

Implementation Method 1

a pneumatically operated grease applicator in which grease is supplied and driven to cover over the bearing by pneumatic force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic force: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a spring arranged therebetween to provide a biasing force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS7467690B2Lubrication device for bearings and other mechanical parts

Publication Date: 2008.12.23 LIH YANN IND CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is a pneumatic grease applicator includes a receptacle in which a retainer that retains a bearing to which grease is to be applied and a presser that securely holds the presser on the retainer are movably received. The receptacle has a bottom nozzle through which grease is continuously supplied from an external source under a pneumatically induced driving force, whereby the grease can be consecutively applied to a number of bearings without interrupts. Sealing members are provided between the retainer and the presser and side wall of the receptacle to prevent leakage of grease.